Mac the Naw: Area fishing has picked up

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Hello fellow anglers, some good news: Fishing has picked up a little and we get to turn our clocks ahead in three weeks. On March 11th we go to daylight savings time. I call it more fishing time. The Naw has been away for a few weeks due to illness, seems every one I know has got that nasty cold that has been going around. I am back and feeling my 100 percent again and can not wait to catch up on some missed fishing time. So I will get right into the report.

LAKE TAHOE: Mackinaw fishing has been great for some larger fish ranging in the six to 11 pound class. You do need to keep an eye on the fish finder as the schools have been more concentrated. Best areas have been Tahoe City shelf to Cal/Neva point fishing right on the bottom. Many anglers have reported limits of average fish from two to five pounds. Good sized browns and rainbows have been coming in trolling the shallows, 30 to 50 feet north of Emerald bay. This time of year the fish are gorging themselves on shrimp which give them a darker red meat. For more info call Blue Ribbon Fishing Charters at 530-544-6552.

CAPLES LAKE: Talking to John Voss from the resort. The lake has frozen over completely now (always use caution on frozen lakes). The ice reported is 18 to 30 inches thick with one to two feet of snow covering it. most anglers have been fishing at the spillway area. They have been using salmon eggs or night crawlers. Some anglers have had good success with small rainbow spoons.

RED LAKE: The lake has about 18 to 30 inches of ice with snow drifts around the lake. Night crawlers have been most productive. My favorite jig to use is a small gold Kastmaster or a rainbow/gold Thomas Buoyant spoon with a little smelly jelly on it. Again with our unpredictable weather this year, use caution as the conditions are ever changing on the lake. My friends and I are planning a trip this weekend to fish Red Lake. For those of you that have never ice fished, you do not need any special rod/reel or fancy set ups. You will need an auger (which most anglers including myself will loan you one). Other than that, fish like you would off the side of a boat with a jig or when using bait. I use one or two split shots and a number 10 hook with hald a worm on it. Start by fishing it right off the bottom and change up from there. Some times the fish are right under the ice. Also you do not need to go to the middle of the lake. My best luck has been 20 to 50 feet from the shore. Any questions, call the Naw line.

INDIAN CREEK RES: The lake level is still high, but the lake has dropped a few feet. The four-wheel-drive road accessing the dam is open, but a word of caution, over the last year many have used the road with little knowledge of how to drive and it has deep ruts. I would only use it if you have a higher ground clearance. As for the clarity of the water, there is a little algae growth but not a problem as of now. The fish are biting hard and fast. I lost over 15 until I got quick enough to set the hook. Salmon peach or rainbow powerbait was the most productive. The campground is still closed until the end of April. The road in from Diamond Valley Road was muddy but accessible. I have not heard from the county when they are planning to plant the lake.

TOPAZ LAKE: Fishing has been slow for the last month. Anglers have reported catching a few small fish but not big enough to weigh in. The Topaz General Store has reported the same. So Far this year 81 tags have come in to the store. Reminder that only derby tags are worth the $100 bounty. There are some dept of fish and game tags in the lake that are not valid in the derby. Derby results for the last four weeks are as follows, starting week four- 1st place-Shawn Lenz 3.9 pounds, 2nd place Johnny DeRossett 2.10 pounds, Week five, Joe Simplicio 5.13 pounds, 2nd place Dick Kostner 2.13 pounds, week six- 1st place J Briggs 9.6 pounds, 2nd place Dick Kostner 2.8 pounds, week seven- Vic Nagy 5.8 pounds, 2nd place Brian Shurtleff 2.6 pounds. Boaters have had the most success on the south end trolling flashers or rapalas. The Topaz Marina is open for launch and boat rentals. For more info call Topaz Landing at 775-266-3550.

MASON VALLEY WILDLIFE AREA: Located just north of Yerington open on February 11th. They have planted the ponds with over 2000 trout. The Fort Churchill cooling ponds also opened to fishing. This is mainly a catfish and bass fishing pond. Remember to check your regulations for specific rules and regulations when fishing the areas with in the Mason valley Wildlife areas.

CARSON RIVER EAST FORK: The river is open to catch and release from hangmans bridge to the Nevada state line all year. This is an artificial lure or fly fishing area with single barb less hooks. Fishing above the bridge is closed until the last Saturday in April. The Carson River Resort located 1.5 miles above hangmans bridge is also open all year. For more information call 877-694-2229.

CARSON RIVER: On the Nevada side is open all year to lure and bait fishing. This is located just past the fish hatchery off Highway 395 out of Gardnerville. Remember you can only fish the east side of the river up to the broken dam.

Hope to see you on the waters. If you have a photo of your catch send it to jproudman@tahoedailytribune.com. If you have a question or a report in our local fishing world call the Naw Line at 775-267-9722. Good fishin and tight lines.